Yesterday Lenovo accidentally leaked that the release date of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is October 17. Then on Friday at IFA 2017 in Berlin, Microsoft confirmed that the Fall Creators Update will start to roll out to mainstream users globally starting October 17.
Biggest addition will be Windows Mixed Reality
The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is going to be the fourth major addition to the OS, and it follows the Creators Update, which came earlier this year. Describing the update in a blog post, Windows Chief Terry Meyerson said it is “all about unleashing your creativity and having some fun while at the same time keeping you safe and secure.”
Windows Mixed Reality is possibly the most interesting feature arriving in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Windows Mixed Reality is Microsoft’s platform that will support VR headsets and motion controllers from PC makers such as Lenovo, Dell, Acer and HP. Headsets and motion controllers (starting at $299) from these companies are expected to be release along with the Fall Creators Update on Oct. 17, notes PCMag.
Mixed reality has long been on Microsoft’s radar, as earlier this year, it introduced Paint 3D. Now with the Fall Creators Update, it is adding View 3D to allow users to view mixed reality creations on their screen, provided they have a camera.
What else to expect from the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
As far as other features, Myerson said the Fall Creators Update will support eye-tracking, making it easier for users with disabilities to navigate Windows 10. According to Myerson, the feature will be very helpful for those suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease. The update will also include the new Windows Fluent Design System, which will work to enhance the feel and look of apps and the operating system in general.
The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will also bring the My People feature. This will allow you to choose three contacts and add them as icons in the taskbar to facilitate quick contact. The Insider Preview version limited the contacts to just Skype or email, but what the final version will offer is unclear for now.
Some users will be disappointed to know that the Timeline feature may not come with the Fall Creators Update. The Timeline feature is similar to Apple’s Handoff, which allows users to continue their work across a variety of devices. It must be noted that its functionality will not just be limited to Windows devices. Another feature that is delayed is the Clipboard feature, which allows users to copy data between phones and PCs.
With the launch date confirmed for October, Microsoft is missing its very first deadline under the new system. In April, the company promised to come up with twice-yearly Windows 10 updates in March and September. Currently, Microsoft is finalizing the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and the testing is expected to be completed by the end of September. Windows Insiders will be the first to try the final version, and then it will be released to all users.
After this update is completed, Microsoft will focus solely on the next major update, which is currently referred to as Redstone 4.
